The current estimate for existing native woodlands 0. The Environment Protection Agency issued a call in June for proposals for research, including under the theme of Natural Capital. See entry under 1. The status assessment report to the EU under Article 17of the Habitats Directive, and the species trends report under Article 12 of the Birds Directive provide an overview of the leading pressures impacting the selected habitats and species and also lists any conservation measures undertaken.
The project identified gaps in existing information and seeks to address these with focused projects, especially in key areas such as urban emissions, sea-level change and impacts on key economic sectors. Barriers to fish passage are major issue for dispersal of diadromous fish.
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Further publications are due in , with the development of Red Lists for Elasmobranchs, sea-weeds, vascular plants and moths well underway. DAFM through its publically funded forest research programme continues to support research across a range of areas of importance to forest biodiversity and climate change.
Progress with this target requires detailed examination of recent land cover data; this data is currently being processed. Coastal systems are dynamic and stable with very minor losses reported. Peatlands continue to be eroded and extracted. Scrub and heath are likely to be expanding in the west due to abandonment. Woodland cover is increasing, however this is mainly conifer plantation which is at the expense of grassland and heath.
CBD implementation: Northern Ireland
The rate of loss of natural habitats is much less than the losses sustained years ago following extensive periods of drainage and agricultural intensification. Significant efforts have been made to reduce degradation by addressing, inter alia, inappropriate grazing regimes in upland habitats, reduction of pollutants, removal of invasives. Government has recently approved a draft National Landscape strategy The Strategy will establish principles for protecting and enhancing the landscape while positively managing its change.
It will provide a high-level policy framework to achieve balance between the management, planning and protection of the landscape and ensure fragmentation is reduced.
Ireland has taken substantial steps to protect peatlands, especially raised bogs, since Detailed site-specific conservation objectives have been published for 57 SACs and 27 SPAs, mainly coastal and marine sites and a further 36 are scheduled for completion by the end of The procedures adopted by the NRA in the planning of the national road schemes are designed to avoid or minimise impacts on protected areas.
These procedures are enshrined in current best practice documents. The coherence, connectivity and resilience of the protected areas network are considerations in the selection procedures for Natura sites and for NHAs. Some raised and blanket bog NHAs have been designated by NPWS on the basis of their support function to nearby sites and to for their contribution towards a coherent national network of protected areas. The framework aims to integrate sustainable development into key areas of policy, to put in place effective implementation mechanisms and to progress sustainable development.
With regards to connectivity and resilience of protected areas network, the framework prioritises action on the development of an integrated approach to green infrastructure into sectoral polices and the creation of green corridors to enhance biodiversity.
The strategy outlines a suite of national initiatives to recognise the importance of all landscapes in Ireland, implement the European Landscape Convention, promote sustainable development, and enhance and protect the environment. Following the consultation, the Strategy has been amended in preparation for submission to Government. The Waterways Ireland Corporate Plan includes the aim of promoting and developing the waterways as educational and environmental assets, highlighting their natural heritage.
As part of the programme to develop and restore the waterways network, key actions include the development of policies and programmes to deliver compliance with environmental legislative Directives, and evaluate natural heritage assets along the waterways. The Irish Prioritised Action Framework November recommends "that monitoring measures are built into all funding allocations, schemes, projects etc.
This should facilitate a strategic evaluation of measures delivered through Operating Programmes in the future. However, the extent to which this scientific underpinning has been provided in the relevant programmes remains unclear. In addition, it was recommended that "the PAF priority measures should be explicitly referenced" in the design of Operating Programmes that will run until While programmes may have been informed by the PAF priorities, specific priorties do not appear to have been overtly referenced. All public authorities that authorise or give consent to programmes, plans or projects, pursuant to Regulations 27 and 42 of the European Communities Birds and Natural Habitats Regulations, must uphold the provisions of Article 6 of the Habitats Directive, and in so doing, to undertake screening for appropriate assessment, and appropriate assessment as may be required to ensure that there is no negative impact arising in Natura sites.
Increase the contribution of agriculture and forestry to maintaining and enhancing biodiversity. The new Rural Development Programme up to includes a substantial commitment for a new agrienvironment scheme building up approx. It is envisaged that the programme will be agreed by the end of , with implementation of measures commencing in A number of biodiversity actions are being considered for inclusion within the new agri-environment scheme, including specific actions for vulnerable habitats and threatened species, as well as some general actions which would have wider biodiversity benefits.
A number of biodiversity related output-based schemes have also being proposed. The regulations include increased setback distance for the application of chemical fertiliser in land in the vicinity of a watercourse to 2 metres. In the case of organic fertilisers and soiled water, new site specific and risk-based approach to be used by Local Authorities in setting seback distances around drinking water abstraction points.
The scheme is opened to applicants in and implementation of measures will commence in the latter part of A number of biodiversity actions are included within the new agri-environment scheme, including priority actions targeted at vulnerable habitats and threatened species, as well as some general actions which will have wider biodiversity benefits. The new Scheme will also have a water quality and climate action focus which will have added benefits for ecosystem services. A number of biodiversity related output-based measures will also be incorporated into the RDP over the period of the programme.
The LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme RDP will be programmed by DECLG under Priority 6: Promoting social inclusion, poverty reduction and economic development in rural areas however there are also 3 cross cutting objectives of innovation, environment and climate change which can also be integrated into these locally funded projects where relevant.
Parks and Open Spaces
An increased number of targeted actions have been included within the new agri-environment scheme. In association with DAHG, a number of targeted actions for priority habitats and species have been included as mandatory actions, where applicable to the farm based on spatial data. Costings for prescriptions were calculated in accordance with EU guidelines. The database continues to be updated. DAFM manages the national version of the EFABIS database as a communication and information tool that provides stakeholders a searchable database of breed related information, management tools and reference library.
Censuses are primarily conducted by the relevant breed societies, but the Kerry, Irish Maol and Dexter cattle, Irish Draught horse, Connemara pony, Kerry Bog Pony and Galway sheep are designated as endangered, therefore DAFM directly implement management schemes for these breeds. Since , 42 of breeds present in Ireland have had their population data updated. Of the 72 breeds that have national-level risk assessment using FAO criteria, 1 is extinct, 16 are considered critical, 26 are endangered and 29 are not at risk.
Ireland lists seven populations of livestock as endangered. These include three populations of cattle, three populations of equines and one population of sheep. The strategy provides recommendations to ensure the conservation and use of animal genetic resources in Ireland.
Two separate elements under the scheme provide funding to landowners for: i the appropriate restoration management of existing native woodlands including conversion of non-native forest to native woodland NWS Conservation and ii the creation of new native woodland on 'greenfield' sites NWS Establishment. The NW Conservation has been suspended over the recent years. However, the reopening of this element is proposed under the new forestry programme , and a clear role for it is envisaged under the Freshwater Pearl Mussel-focused KerryLIFE project and the Top 8 FPM Catchment Forest Management Plans, specifically to fund the conversion of conifer forests into native woodlands at key points along FPM watercourses.
NWS Establishment has remained opened and has undergone two major reviews in Aug11 and Feb13 , to increase its attractiveness and uptake. With support from NPWS, Woodlands of Ireland, Inland Fisheries and others, the Forest Service reached agreement with Ireland's EPA to amend the existing protocol regarding afforestation in acid sensitive areas, to facilitate the creation of new native woodlands in these areas, for inter alia water protection. A 2-day NWS training Course, aimed at foresters, landowners and personnel from relevant statutory bodies, was held in December in Co.
Wicklow, and was attended by over 50 participants. The revised NWS proposed under the Forestry Programme will be based on ecologically-driven criteria regarding the identification of priority sites in terms of native woodland ecosystems, wider habitat linkage, and relevant eco-system service delivery e. Compatible wood production using close-to-nature silviculture will remain a key element, where appropriate.
Various new measures will also be developed, including a component for emergent native woodland 'scrub'.
Northern Ireland Biodiversity Strategy failing after 'years of inaction' - U
The following initiatives will involve the promotion of alternative and traditional silvicultural management practices aimed at the delivery of inter alia biodiversity benefits, including those relating to aquatic habitats and species: Freshwater Pearl Mussel-focused KerryLIFE project; the Top 8 FPM Catchment Forest Management Plans; and the proposed Native Woodland Scheme and agro-forestry measure under the incoming forestry programme. Each of these will involve the provision by the Forest Service and others e. Woodlands of Ireland of guidance publications, training to forest owners and foresters, regarding management practices and decisions.
Aquaculture and forestry licence procedures incorporate a comprehensive environmental analysis in all applications. Ensure the sustainable use of fisheries resources and ensuring good environmental status of the marine environment.
Harvest control rules are in place to bring stocks to MSY in where possible. There has been a strong reduction in fishing pressure of fish stocks in Irish waters in the last decade. No take zones for benthic impacting fishing gears are currently being considered in inshore Natura sites managed nationally to protect sensitive habitats and associated biodiversity.
The new CFP reform contains a commitment to continue and further strengthen conservation measures in biologically sensitive areas with spawning grounds and high populations of juvenile fish including off the South and West coast of Ireland. This plan is used for the management of monitoring, surveillance and control of sea-fisheries at sea by the Naval Service, through aerial surveillance by the Air Corps and at landing ports in Ireland by SFPA staff. This plan outlines the benchmark requirements for inspections both at sea by the Naval Service and ashore by the SFPA.